Nectarine tree named &#39;nsred15261&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of red blood nectarine tree denominated ‘NSRED15261’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet red blood colored flesh, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a very high percentage of dark purple red blush on skin surface.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2017/3055 filed on Nov. 23, 2017 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘NSRED15261’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of blood nectarine tree, also named red colored flesh nectarine, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NSRED15261’. This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, semi clingstone pink red or blood flesh fruits for fresh market in June in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357) for reliable description. ‘NSRED15261’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration both before and after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NSRED15261’ red nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 700 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NSRED15261’ variety resulted from an open pollination of the ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357), which was used as the seed parent. Then, the pollen parent of the new variety ‘NSRED15261’ remains unknown.

The ‘NSRED15261’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a “INRA® GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d′Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘NSRED15261’ red nectarine tree blooms during March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it blooms between Mar. 6^(th) and Mar. 15^(th). The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘NSRED15261’ ripens generally in June. More particularly, it usually ripens between Jun. 5^(th) and Jun. 23^(rd). However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of which shows a view of a tree of the new variety in orchard, with branches bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows the upper and lower sides of leaves of the variety and four typical specimens of the fruit, one having been cut in halves with the stone being left into one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh stone and stone cavity of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED15261’ at ripening time, one fruit having been cut in halves, the photograph showing one of the halves with stone.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph showing different close views of four typical fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED15261’ at ripening time.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph showing different close views of typical fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED15261’ at ripening time.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph that show different views of the stone of the new variety, one of the stones having been cut in half, and the kernel of the stone.

The views of trees and trunk have been photographed in their third growing season (second year of production). The views of fruits, leaves and stones have been photographed in their second growing season (first year of production).

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘NSRED15261’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; the flowering usually begins early in March. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with medium petal size. Petals are colored in pink. Leaf glands are present and round. The fruit flesh is pink red also named blood red. The fruit skin is medium thick, with a homogenous dark purple red color on a red background. The stone is semi clingstone and his size is medium. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357), which is the seed parent of ‘NSRED15261’, the new variety shows a surprising pink blood red flesh color whereas the fruits of ‘NECTARPERF’ present a white colored flesh.

The ripening time of the new variety ‘NSRED15261’ is considered early, namely during June, whereas the fruits of the variety ‘NECTARPERF’ ripen late during the season, namely at the end of August or early in September depending on the years.

Moreover, the leaf glands of the new variety ‘NSRED15261’ are round, whereas the leaf glands of ‘NECTARPERF’ are reniform in shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of red nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their second growing season (first year of production) for fruits, leaves and stones and on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) for the trees, flowers and trunk, under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA® GF677” trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. (Royal Horticultural Society) Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—.         -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year             was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during each             following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to             80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next             years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm including             current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently             reduces to 250 cm the next years.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered medium vigorous.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit             set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit             into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit             set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and             cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is             therefore not distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered             homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1             year. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for the             tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during             the years of observation.         -   Form.—The ‘NSRED15261’ variety has naturally a semi-flared             shape.         -   Density.—Considered dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.             Experimentations on the same orchard in Elne,             Pyrénées-Orientales department, with winter chilling             requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between 700 hours and             1200 hours according to the specificities of the year,             namely 1031 hours in 2012-2013, 777 hours in 2013-2014, 893             hours in 2014-2015, 718 hours in 2015-2016, and 825 hours in             2016-2017 and 1017 hours in 2017-2018 showed a good             behaviour of the trees in all cases. No damages were caused             by ascertained temperatures as low as −12 degrees Celsius in             winter. The tree was also very resistant to frosty             springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 58.0 to 70.0 millimeters in diameter             when measured at a distance of approximately 20.0             centimeters above the soil level on their 3^(rd) growing             season.         -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of             lenticels reaches 2 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range             in size from approximately 2.0 to 2.5 millimeters in height             and from approximately 5.0 to 7.0 millimeters in width.         -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels have a beige color (RHS Greyed             Orange 164 B).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a light brown (RHS Greyed             Orange 165 A) to slightly grey (RHS Grey 201 A) color. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter of approximately             4.0 to 6.0 millimeters, and branches in their second growing             season have a diameter from 8.0 to 12.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old             has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 30 degrees for the             current season shoots and 45 degrees for the mature branches             from the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is             not considered distinctive of the variety, however.         -   Internode length.—Generally between 14.0 and 18.0             millimeters for the current season shoots and between 16.0             and 20.0 millimeters for the mature branches.         -   Current seasons shoots.—.         -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered green (RHS             Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas             the upper part is darker and colored in brown-purple (RHS             Greyed Purple 183 B).         -   Surface texture.—Smooth, without lenticel.         -   Mature branches.—.         -   Color of mature branches.—Light brown (RHS Grey Brown N199             C).         -   Surface texture.—The surface texture of mature branches is             rough, with small lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—The number of lenticels on mature branches             reaches 2 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size             from approximately 0.5 millimeter in height and from             approximately 1.0 to 2.0 millimeters in width. The lenticels             are stretched round in shape.         -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels on mature branches have a             beige color (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B) similar to the trunk's             lenticels color. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 158.0 to 189.5 millimeters with             leaf petiole.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 41.0 to 49.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.         -   Leaf base form.—Acute.         -   Leaf thickness.—Medium.         -   Leaf color.—.         -   Upper leaf surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A).         -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 146 A or             RHS Yellow Green 147 B) than the upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous on both surfaces.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—.         -   Color.—The mid-vein or midrib is light green (RHS Yellow             Green 145 B or RHS Yellow Green 145 C). The color may evolve             with maturity.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.         -   Lateral veins.—.         -   Color.—The lateral veins are considered a light green (RHS             Yellow Green 145 B or RHS Yellow Green 145 C) similar to the             midrib color.         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered dentate or crenate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).         -   Leaf petioles.—.         -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Shape.—Ribbed.         -   Length.—About 9.0 to about 17.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to 2.20 millimeters.         -   Petioles color.—.         -   Upper petiole surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A or RHS             Green 143 C).         -   Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 144 B to RHS             Yellow Green 144 C).         -   Leaf glands.—.         -   Size.—Considered small. Their length is about 1.0             millimeters and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.         -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf.         -   Type.—Round.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             light green (RHS Green 144 B to RHS Green 144 A). On older             leaves, leaf glands color turns to a dark brown (RHS Grey             Brown N 199 A to RHS Grey Brown N 199 B).         -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.         -   Leaf stipules.—.         -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—.         -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are round in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 8.0 to 9.0             millimeters wide and approximately 15.0 to 18.0 millimeters             long. The distribution of the flower buds is considered             homogenous on the trees.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development (stage A), the             bottom of the flowers buds, or calyx, or flower receptacle,             is of purple-brown color at the outer surface of the calyx             (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B). The             inner surface of the calyx is considered orange (RHS Orange             N 25 C) The corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of             pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 A). Petal and sepal color             shows an evolution until the end of flowering.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins early in             March. The first bloom was observed on Mar. 8, 2016.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium-season in relative             comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in             the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of             full bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming period.             The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions             and cultural practices. Thus the first full bloom was             observed from Mar. 8 until Mar. 15, 2016, then from Mar. 6             until Mar. 13, 2017.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 8 days. This characteristic             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower (rosette type).         -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full             bloom is approximately 41.0 to 43.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between             35 and 40 flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a             high rate of fruit set.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—.         -   Generally.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—Generally between 20.0 to 23.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth.         -   Arrangements of petals.—Slightly overlapping.         -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored in pink             (RHS Red purple 62 B to RHS Red purple 62 C) when young,             becoming slightly darker until the end of blooming.         -   Fragrance.—Sweet.         -   Petal claw.—.         -   Form.—The claw is considered to be narrower at the base.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters at the base.         -   Color.—A darker pink (RHS Red Purple 60 A to RHS Red Purple             60 B) than the petal color.         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered slightly undulating.         -   Petal apex.—.         -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally wide-dome shaped.         -   Flower pedicel.—.         -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of             approximately 2.0 to 3.5 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.5 to 1.75             millimeters.         -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144             B).         -   Calyx.—.         -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is open,             the inner surface of the calyx, or flower receptacle, is             matt and considered golden-orange (RHS Yellow Orange 21 A or             RHS Yellow Orange 21 B). The outer surface of the calyx is             considered of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or             RHS Greyed Purple 187 B).         -   Sepals.—.         -   Number.—Generally five sepals.         -   Shape.—Conic with a round tip.         -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture.         -   Margins.—Smooth.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 5.0 to 6.5 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 4.5 to 5.5 millimeters.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, the lower surface of the             sepals is greenish (RHS Yellow Green 146 A to RHS Yellow             Green 146 B). The upper surface of sepals are colored with a             purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to RHS Greyed             Purple 187 B).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 29 to 34             stamens per flower.         -   Anthers.—.         -   Generally.—Medium in length.         -   Color.—Red color (RHS Red 45 A) to yellow color (RHS Yellow             11 B) depending on the maturity stage.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen production is considered medium             and the pollen shows a yellow color (RHS Yellow 12 C) which             may evolve with maturity. The present variety is considered             auto-fertile (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—.         -   Size.—Medium length, between 11.0 and 14.0 millimeters in             length. Filaments length is generally smaller than the             pistil's length.         -   Color.—Considered white (RHS White N155 B) to light pink             (RHS Red Purple 65 A to RHS Red Purple 65 B) depending on             the maturity stage. The color evolves and becomes darker             during the blooming.         -   Pistil.—.         -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 18.0 to 20 millimeters including the             ovary. Generally higher than stamen length.         -   Color.—Considered green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B to RHS             Yellow Green 145 C) at the beginning of flowering, it             becomes lighter, almost yellowish (RHS Yellow Green 151 B to             RHS Yellow Green 151 C) during the blooming.         -   Stigma.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter in diameter, with a             yellowish color (RHS Yellow Green 151 B to RHS Yellow Green             151 C).         -   Ovary.—Approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters in height. The             diameter of the ovary is about 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters. The             color is considered green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A). -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions             (shipping ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 10, 2015.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NSRED15261             variety has an early date of picking, and a grouped             maturity. The maturity is grouped within 7 to 8 days and the             harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last known             picking times carry on from Jun. 10 to Jun. 16, 2015, then             from Jun. 16 to Jun. 23, 2016, then from Jun. 5 to Jun. 11,             2017 and then from Jun. 11 to Jun. 17, 2018.         -   Size.—.         -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size. Generally, size B or A or             2A.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 60.0 to 63.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 52.0 to 59.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally about 115.0 to 130.0 grams. This             characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—.         -   Generally.—Round and regular. The fruit is generally uniform             in symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane.         -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending             from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or             stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.         -   Mucron.—Absent.         -   Suture.—.         -   Color.—The suture has generally a similar red color to the             whole fruit color (RHS Greyed Purple N 186 A to RHS Greyed             Purple N 186 B or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Purple N 77             A).         -   Ventral surface.—.         -   Form.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—Non-prominent, generally slightly depressed.         -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 6.0             to 10.0 millimeters. Average width is about 13.0 to 18.0             millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—.         -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and the             adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium, depending on             the fruit maturity.         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous, without any pubescence.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level of sugars.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.         -   Color.—.         -   Blush color.—This blush color is dark purple red (RHS Greyed             Purple N186 A to RHS Greyed Purple N186 B or RHS Greyed             Purple 187 A or RHS Purple N77 A). The red blush covers 95             to 100% of the fruit skin surface on a red background (RHS             Greyed Purple 185 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). The             percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary             and is generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions             under which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color covers at the most 5% of the             fruit skin surface, and is considered red (RHS Greyed Purple             185 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).         -   Lenticels.—Very few lenticels are present.         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 8.0 to 10.0             millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A or RHS Yellow             Green 145 A).         -   Flesh.—.         -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long             shelf life.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at             harvest maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet, sugary and very aromatic. The             Brix is generally superior to 12 and acidity comprised             between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally between 13.0 to 16.0 degrees. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per             tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding             climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—The flesh of the new variety ‘NSRED15261’ is             colored in a dark red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 B or RHS Red 45             A), also named blood red color, usually with a white circle             around the stone cavity on approximately 5.0 millimeters.             Sometimes, the color is identical, i.e. dark purple red,             around the stone cavity (the white circle is absent). -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone, more or less adherent depending on the             fruit maturity.         -   Size.—Considered medium to small for the variety. The stone             size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor,             crop load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 24.0 to 28.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 14.0 to 18.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Oval.         -   Base.—Round.         -   Apex.—.         -   Shape.—The stone apex is short, pointed.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered small to medium size, with an             ovate-form and dimensions corresponding to the stone's             dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—.         -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent             generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—.         -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters at mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—.         -   Shape.—Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B to             RHS Greyed Orange 164 C or RHS Greyed Orange 165 C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is very low or absent,             depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and             stone hardening.         -   Kernel.—.         -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 14.0 to 16.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 9.0 to 10.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 3.0 to 6.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered flattened and elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is a orange-brown (RHS Greyed Orange             165 A or RHS Greyed Orange 165 B or RHS Greyed Orange N167 A             to RHS Greyed Orange N167 B). The almond, which is the seed             of the kernel, is white (RHS White 155 B) and has a sweet             tasting. The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of             fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NSRED15261 is considered to be a             nectarine tree having an early season of maturity, and which             produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively             colored with a very luminous purple red. The high content of             antioxidant in the red flesh convert fruits in a very             healthy product. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are             excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when             at full maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities.             Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can             also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit             or fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for             both local and very long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation             and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth             completion and after harvesting without alteration. After             growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.             After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks             at 2.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             red blood nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the             flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal             harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to             handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life             without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4             weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very             sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and             decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of red blood nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet red blood colored flesh, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a very high percentage of dark purple red blush on skin surface. 